Dhaka: Bangladesh's apparel industry is set to revive its flagship Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exhibition (BATEXPO) after more than a decade, with the BGMEA planning a major international showcase of the sector's transformation, innovation, sustainability, and growing technological capabilities in November this year. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan announced the programme at a press conference today, stating that the 25th edition of BATEXPO will take place on November 18 and 19, 2026, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahmud Hasan Khan emphasized that BATEXPO 2026 will serve as one of the BGMEA board's major initiatives for country branding and will showcase the transformation of Bangladesh's apparel industry before the global community. The event will highlight improvements in workplace safety and environment-friendly production alongside Bangladesh's growing capacity to manufacture value-added and technology-driven apparel products.
The exhibition will feature a Global Apparel Expo, Global Apparel Summit, AI and Innovation Hub, and Sustainability and Circularity Exhibition. The programme will cover sustainability, fashion, innovation, and emerging trends in the global apparel industry. The BGMEA president revealed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has agreed to inaugurate the event, while the organisers expect the President to attend its closing ceremony.
Mahmud Hasan Khan stated that the BGMEA will use BATEXPO to project Bangladesh not simply as a low-cost apparel manufacturing destination but as a modern, innovation-oriented, and technology-driven sourcing hub. Alongside BATEXPO, the BGMEA has undertaken a series of initiatives to diversify Bangladesh's export destinations and customer base.
He mentioned that Bangladesh currently earns around $40 billion from apparel exports, with roughly $8 billion coming from non-traditional markets, excluding the United States, European Union, and Canada. The BGMEA will organise the "Bangladesh Apparel Roadshow Hong Kong 2026" on October 28-29 in collaboration with HSBC Bangladesh. The roadshow will invite international brands that either do not source apparel from Bangladesh or purchase only limited quantities from the country.
Mahmud Hasan Khan explained the BGMEA's objective to invite global brands to the roadshow so they consider Bangladesh as a new sourcing destination. He emphasized the need for Bangladesh to reduce the concentration of apparel exports among a limited number of major brands and attract a wider range of global buyers.
The BGMEA president highlighted the memorandum of understanding signed with HSBC, noting the bank's long-standing business experience in Bangladesh. He said the roadshow will demonstrate to potential buyers that Bangladesh offers opportunities for international brands to establish and expand their sourcing operations. The BGMEA is also targeting Japan as a major destination for apparel export expansion.
He noted that Bangladesh currently exports around $500 million to $600 million worth of apparel to Japan, although Japan imports more than $12 billion worth of apparel annually. To expand the market, the BGMEA will launch a dedicated Japan Desk on September 23, with the Japanese ambassador expected to inaugurate it. The desk will address language and communication barriers between Bangladeshi manufacturers and Japanese buyers.
He expressed hopes to increase current exports to Japan to at least $2 billion or $2.5 billion and mentioned that major Japanese companies have already visited Bangladesh during preparations for the initiative. Mahmud Hasan Khan noted that Bangladesh has secured preferential trade arrangements with Japan and an economic partnership agreement with South Korea, which could support export expansion in those markets.
He identified long shipping lead times as a major challenge for exports to Japan and South Korea and mentioned efforts to reduce logistics-related delays. The BGMEA has also signed a strategic agreement with Bangladesh Brand Forum to strengthen Bangladesh's apparel branding and promote the country as an innovation-driven manufacturing destination.
Mahmud Hasan Khan stated that the industry has begun work on innovative designs and future trends through its Centre of Excellence, with an emphasis on shifting from cotton-based products towards man-made fibre products. He mentioned agreements with Open Supply Hub and GIG to help the industry address stringent European Union requirements, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
On artificial intelligence, he stated the intention to adopt AI while ensuring that technological advancement does not abruptly reduce employment. He mentioned the industry's use of AI-based technology in preparing commercial and shipping documents. Mahmud Hasan Khan concluded by stating that BATEXPO, the Hong Kong roadshow, and the Japan Desk are part of the BGMEA's broader strategy to expand Bangladesh's apparel market and strengthen the country's position in global sourcing. He urged the media to give extensive coverage to BATEXPO 2026 and the industry's market-diversification initiatives to present Bangladesh's apparel sector and its transformation to international audiences.